35 years after reunification: Why does the division between East and West Germany still exist?
Thirty-five years after the reunification of Germany, the gap between the former East and West remains evident, even among young people who have only known a unified country. A new report presented by Elisabeth Kaiser, the Federal Commissioner for Eastern Germany, illustrates how these differences continue to shape identities, opportunities, and life paths.
Kaiser, born in the city of Gera in 1987, belongs to the first generation that grew up in unified Germany. She points out that although her generation and the ones after it lived in one country, the former East still influences identity. Many young people in the East identify themselves as "Ossis," while their counterparts in the West rarely use the term "Wessis" to define themselves.
The report highlights ongoing inequalities. In many small towns and rural areas in East Germany, access to public transport and healthcare remains limited. Incomes are also below average, reliance on social assistance is higher, and wealth levels are much lower than in the West. Kaiser emphasized that this deficiency continues into adulthood, as many East Germans cannot rely on inherited wealth or financial support from family.
Official statistics confirm this divide. In 2024, the western states reported over 106 billion euros in inherited or gifted wealth, while the amount in the east – including Berlin – did not exceed 7 billion euros. This means a difference of nearly four times per person, which creates systemic barriers for young people in the east. Kaiser suggested that discussions on reforming inheritance laws, such as the proposal to grant every young person in Germany an "inheritance for all" of 20,000 euros, could help achieve equality, although the idea remains politically controversial.
Despite the challenges, East Germany has made significant progress. It has become a center for renewable energy, developed a vibrant startup culture, and experienced economic growth. However, demographic trends remain a major barrier: the East has lost two million inhabitants since reunification, while the population of the West has grown by nearly 10%. With a declining number of young people and an aging population, the gap between East and West does not seem likely to close anytime soon.